Watch



J. BULOVA Jan. 11 1927.

WATCH Filed Sept.

I INJ ENTOR W M A TTORNEV Patented-Jan. 11, 1927.

UNITED STATES JOSEPH BULOVA, -01 NE! YORK, N. Y.

WATCH.

' Application filed September 8, 1925. Serial Ito. 54.906.

The invention relates to watches and Watchcases, more particularlywrist-watches,

and has special reference to watches wherein the whole back of themovement or works is covered by a thin flat sheet of celluloid or thelike non-breaking, flexible, transparent material, to guard the worksand permit inspection.

The back of the movement comprises a number of, bridges partly occupyingthe area, the remainder of the area of the back including open spaces.Where such a sheet is held by aflange against the works or movement, theportions of the edge of the sheet over these open spaces are free andare likely to sag so as to create an entrance.-

Under such, circumstances, the"tra,nsparent 7 cover, while a substantialprotect on, is not a perfect dust, or moisture, guard; furthermore,thethin flexible sheet material is subject to buckling. The object ofthis invention isto overcome these drawbacks, in a simple, strong,facile and inexpensive construction, which affords maximum protection,and which need not add to the thickness or size offthese small' watches.The invention will now be described by reference to two embodimentswherein the sheet is supported against a continuous ri m independentlyof the movement, and W111 be views, and Fig. 6 is a perspective view, of

forms of retainer member, transparent sheet, supporting, member, andmovement, respectively, similar to those seen in Figs. 1 and 2,

showing the parts in separate relation;

Fig. 7 is a rear view of another embodimentwithout the case, a portionof the retainer ring-being. broken away and in section;v

Fi S -is transverse section through ,'g. 9 is a similar view includingthe case. g

" Fig. 10 is "a fragmentary sect on on a.

larger scale illustrating. in 'more' detail the manner of holding thetransparent; sheet in thisform of the invention.

. depen In Figs. 1 and 2 the form of watchcase illustrated is onecomprising a body or front member 2 carrying the crystal 3, and a backmember 4, the members 2 and 4 being hinged together at 5. However theparticular form of case may be varied. The movement 6 has a number ofbridges 7, between which. atthe circumference, there is a wide gap 8.

In the particular form of embodiment of the invention represented inFigs. 16, the movement fits into, and is surrounded by, a thin innermetal band 9. This band rests against a circumferential ledge orshoulder 10 near the front of the movement and is of such Width that, atthe back. it is flush with, or substantially the same height as.

part of the vback of the movement.

A sheet of material 11, such as transparent celluloid, or otherflexible,.transparent, non breakable material, rests at its edgeportions against the continuous rim formed by the rear edge of theband9; and over the band 9 is closely frictionally slipped a thinretalner band 12. The sheet 11 is thus gripped all the way aroundbetween the edge of the band 9 and the flange or inward overhang 13 ofthe band 12, the two member's acting tosupport and hold thesheet/entirely inently of the movement 6. In assembling thisconstruction, the sheet 11 is laid in the band 12, the band 9 is thenintroduced into the band 12 and the two are squeezed upon the flexibleand somewhat compressible celluloid.

In Figs. 7-10, the member 9 surrounding the movement 6 is in the natureof a center or block to conform to the interior of a different form fromthe movement. A low circular rim, 9", slightly undercut, is turned orotherwise formed on the back of this filler around themovement-receiving recess, and onto this rim is sna ped a retainer ring12, between which an the rim the sheet 11 is clamped. In this form theflexible transparent shield constitutes a part of the center,

and with the block forms a tight chamber for the movement.

From the foregoing it is believed that a clear understandlng of theinvention will be had. I do not limit myself to the embodiments of theinvention illustrated, as

numerous other forms will suggest themselves. Thefladvantages of thisinvention result from the provision of a complete pro tection for awatch movement of very simple character, compactly built into-the1insideconstruction of a watch in such manner that the size of even very smallwatches is not increased, the protection effectually excluding dust,which can not find an entrance around the shield, as well as affording aguard against; tampering by. the user, and being selfguarding againstall injur the works that might result from brea (age of the shielditself, and also permitting inspection when the back of the case isopened. The shield is securely held independently both of the movementand of the back of the case, the shield remaining fixed in respect tothe movement when the back of'the case is opened.

What I claim as new is:

1. In a watch, a case, a movement in the case, a member surrounding andcircumfer entially enclosing the movement and closely fitting the same,saidmember abutting the ledge near the front of the movement andextending tothe rear face of the movement,

, said member presenting an outwardly facing, continuous seatsubstantially flush with the back of the movement, a flexibletransparent 'shield overlying and supported on said seat andcovering'the entire back of the movement, and means within the caseoverlying ahd engaging saidshield, for retaining said shield on saidseat throughout its periphery, to provide a dust roof inclo-' sure forthe movement, said shie (1 being removableto give access -to saidmovement without separating the movement and th member supporting theshield.

. v 2. Ina watch, a case, a movement in the case, a member surroundingand circumferentially enclosing the m0'vement and closely fitting thesame, said member abutting the ledge nea the front-of the movement andextending to the rear face of the movement, saidmember presenting anoutwardly facing, continuous seat substantially flush with the back ofthe movement, a flexible transparent shield overlying andsupported onsaid seat and covering the entire back of the movement, and a ringwithin the case and detachably engaging the said member, which ring isprovided with a flange which overlies and engages said shield, forretainingsaid shield on the said seat throughout its periphery, toprovide a dusteproof enclosure for the movement, said shield beingremovable to give access to said movement without separating themovement and the member supporting the shield.

JOSEPH BULOVA.

